Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Technology

Nonaqueous Liquid Electrolyte

Disclosed is a nonaqueous liquid electrolyte comprising poly(siloxane-g-3 ethylene oxide) and its synthesis. This electrolyte provides significant safety, improved electrochemical stability, improved ...
Learn More
Robert West, Qingzheng Wang, Khalil Amine, Bookeun Oh, Donald Vissers, Hisashi Tsukamoto | P03024US

Technology

Low Voltage Drop, Cross-Field, Gas Switch And Method Of Operation

A gas switch includes an anode and a cathode spaced apart from the anode, wherein the cathode includes a conduction surface. The gas switch also includes a plurality of magnets arranged to generate a ...
Learn More
James Lawler, William Hitchon, Tim Sommerer, David Smith, Steve Aceto, Jason Trotter, Joseph Michael, Kirk Marquard | P180151US01

Technology

Bearing-Less Electrostatic Flywheel

A bearing-less flywheel both exchanges energy with a rotating flywheel using a regenerative controller via a rotating electrostatic field but also suspends the flywheel with an electrostatic field to ...
Learn More
Daniel Ludois, Eric Severson | P180324US01

Technology

Transgenic Lignin Easier to Break Down for Biofuel

Lignocellulosic biomass is a very desirable feedstock for biofuel production. If the fermentation process could be optimized, conversion of this biomass could yield 25 to 50 billion gallons of ethanol...
Learn More
John Ralph, Curtis Wilkerson, Saunia Withers, Shawn Mansfield | P100281US02

Technology

Lignin from Transgenic Poplar Is Easier to Process

Lignin is an important plant cell wall component that provides structural support and vascular functions. It is one of the most abundant organic polymers on Earth, constituting about 30 percent of non...
Learn More
John Ralph, Curtis Wilkerson, Saunia Withers, Shawn Mansfield | P100281US03

Technology

Interface Switch for Distributed Energy Resources

Distributed energy resources (DER) are small power generators that are typically located near the customer’s load, where energy is used. Small DER produce low emissions, can be manufactured at l...
Learn More
Robert Lasseter, Paolo Piagi | P05322US

Technology

Platinum-Free Catalysts for Fuel Cells

Fuel cells and other types of electrochemical cells rely on platinum cathodes to drive oxygen reduction. Although efficient, platinum cathodes are expensive given the element’s relative scarcity. On...
Learn More
Shannon Stahl, James Gerken, Colin Anson | P140274US02

Technology

Plasma Treatment within Dielectric Fluids

Conventional techniques for generating plasmas aren't suitable for plasma reactions in liquids such as gasoline or diesel fuels. They are inefficient and can result in significant heat and unwanted ef...
Learn More
Ferencz Denes, Sorin Manolache | P03049US

Technology

Powering Devices with Piezoelectric ‘Sponge’

Piezoelectric materials produce electric charge in response to mechanical stress. Such materials can be utilized as very small ‘nanogenerators’ that absorb vibrations from the environment (e.g., a...
Learn More
Xudong Wang, Ping Zhao, Yanchao Mao | P130228US01

Technology

Environmentally Green Glue

Formaldehyde-based adhesives have been used to make interior plywood and particle board for decades. These synthetic adhesives, which are derived from petroleum, are inexpensive and perform well. Howe...
Learn More
Srinivasan Damodaran, Dani Zhu | P130276US02

Technology

Phosphine Ligands Made Cheaper, Better

Enantiomers are pairs of compounds that have the same chemical formula but different spatial structures (like your left and right hand, they are non-superimposable mirror images of each other). This i...
Learn More
Jennifer Schomaker, Robert Grigg, Ryan Van Hoveln | P130268US02

Technology

Biomass-Derived HMF Using Renewable Solvents

The sugars found in biomass can be treated with solvent and converted into many important building block chemicals. One such chemical is 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which is used to make plastic ma...
Learn More
James Dumesic, Jean Marcel Ribeiro Gallo, David Martin Alonso | P120325US01

WARF